Icelandic Sheep

    Before I dive in to stories and advice I thought I'd better let you know a little bit about the breed of sheep that I raise as well as explain some sheep terminology I might use. I raise Icelandic Sheep. This breed is a hardy lot, originating in Iceland. These sheep can have wool with all different colors and patterns, as you can see in the picture above. Both the Ewes and rams can be polled (hornless) or horned. The majority of my ewes are horned, this helps them defend their lambs better. The horns also make nice handle bars when you're working with the sheep. This breed also does very well during lambing season. The ewes give birth with no assistance unless there is a problem with delivery. I basically just check everyday to see if any lambs have been born and to make sure all is well. Also since Icelandic's are born with naturally short tails no docking is necessary.
  In Iceland vikings used everything the sheep had to offer, wool, meat, and milk. I don't use the milk but I do process and sell the meat and wool. We process 70-80% of the lambs born each year. They are about 6 months old and weigh around 70 pounds when we process them. One lamb yields 20-30 lbs of meat cuts once processed. We sell our lambs for $125/lamb + $75 for processing. Icelandic lamb is a delicacy. Their meat has a fine grain and distinct, delicate flavor. The liver is also very tasty.

    Icelandic wool is also very prized. The vikings used it for everything from clothing and blankets to ropes and sails. Their fleece is dual coated. The long outer coat is the tog and the fine inner coat is the thel. When separated they can be used to make different woolen products. The vikings would use the tog to make rope and sails and the thel to make clothing. However you can also process the two together to make lopi, a distinctive knitting wool made only from icelandic sheep wool. We are presently trying to find a mill to process our wool so that we can sell it as yarn and/or felt. When I know more about pricing and such I will let you know. Icelandic sheep must be shorn twice a year. Once in the early spring to remove matted winter wool so that lambing will be easier. And Once in the fall to collect the lambs wool and nice adult wool for processing and selling.
  Now that you know some facts about my sheep, I will define some sheep terminology so that we can proceed:
               Polled- hornless
               Ewe- Female
               Ram- Male
               Flemming- When a ram lifts his upper lip to "smell"  a ewe in heat.
               Wrangling- Round up and hold down sheep
               Shearing- Shave the wool off
               Drench- administer orally (medication, wormer)



 

An Introduction...

   Greetings and Salutations all, my name is Amanda, and I am the little shepherdess. I will be using this blog to share the adventures I have had while raising Icelandic Sheep and the lessons I have learned along the way.
   I guess I should begin at the beginning.  I have been raising sheep for nine years. I was 13 when we started our flock with four ewes and a ram. The ewes came to us pregnant ( except one who was found to be barren, thus the fourth ewe). I remember anxiously awaiting spring and the arrival of our first lambs. I remember the day the first lambs were born. For some reason we were late leaving for school so I decided to go and check on our expectant ewes. Our small flock was gathered under what we now refer to as "the birthing bush". I crept up and I saw our black ewe standing there with two small black lambs. I was so excited I turned and ran full speed back to the house to tell everyone! I must have looked funny running through the field in my uniform skirt (we attended a private school). It was such an exciting day!
   I still get excited with every birth. I only run home to announce the special arrivals: our first white baby, the birth of triplets, and the first lambs of the season. Most of the time I go out to the field and find mother and babies up and about, but sometimes I get to see the whole process. I've even participated in it a few times. I can't explain the awe and wonder that is felt while watching a new life come into the world. Watching and cheering them on as they struggle to stand and walk. Laughing when they try to find their mothers tit in her armpit and then rejoicing when they finally find it and begin to nurse. It's an amazing process to behold.
   Of course there are sad times as well as happy, all of which I will be documenting in this blog. So whether you are interested in raising sheep or purchasing products from the farm I hope you will continue to follow me as I share my adventures.